Newborn toys are great for your baby’s development. They might stimulate the senses through touch, color, or sound. Some even help with fine motor skill development, teach cause-and-effect, and start language skills at a young age. Below, you’ll find reviews of some of our top choices and a handy buyer’s guide for newborn toys.
Best Toys for Newborns
Popular for quality, price, and durability, they both have 5-star ratings. Mortimer The Moose, Clip On Toy is a textured teether and a toy wrapped into one, plus includes a clip on for strollers, car seats, or activity centers; whereas the First Years Stack up Cups are a set of 9 colorful cups that teach colors, numbers, counting, and order with this simple but fun toy.
Mortimer, The Moose, Clip On Toy
The Mortimer, The Moose, Clip On Toy has all types of textures that will delight your newborn as they explore the world. It is also super soft and fun for newborns to snuggle with and has functions that teach your little one new skills as they grow.
Mortimer features all kinds of textures including satin knotty legs, crinkle hooves, and soft, plush fur. The antlers are also perfect for your little ones, especially as they start teething and appreciate something to chew on. Once they learn a squeezing motion, the squeaker inside the tummy improves auditory development. Jingly noises and several bright colors also make Mortimer fun to play with.
This fun newborn toy also comes with a clip to hook onto baby carriers, strollers, toy bars, and diaper bags. Not only does this stop it from falling and getting dirty, but it also makes it convenient for your baby to play with before they can hold the toy up themselves.
Mortimer the Moose comes with green antlers and Muffin the Moose (with pink antlers) is also available. They come from the Lamaze brand, which is known for making some of the best soft toys for newborns.
Even though Mortimer the Moose can provide stimulation for a newborn, some babies don’t have as much interest. His legs aren’t stretchy or anything, so it can be hard for them to grasp them. Your little one might get more use out of this as they get a few months older.
Pros
- Has several bright colors
- Wide variety of textures
- Teething antlers can be chewed on
- Squeaker inside the belly
- Good for snuggle time or playtime
- Comes with a clip
Cons
- Some babies aren’t interested until they are older
First Years Stack Up Cups
The First Years Stack Up Cups is a simple toy with plenty of fun ways for your baby to play. It can also be used as a learning tool for color and number recognition as your baby gets older.
These colorful stacking cups can be stacked on top of each other. As your baby stacks from largest to smallest, they can make a tall colorful structure. This also helps with hand-eye coordination and teaches about ordering from smallest to largest.
In addition to stacking, your child can turn these over, hide things inside, and even play with them in the bath because they are hard plastic.
On the bottom of each cup, there is a number printed and a unique pattern of holes. This pattern corresponds to the number on the cup. As you interact with your little one, you can teach early identification of colors and numbers.
The plastic used to make these is free of BPA, phthalates, latex, and other harmful ingredients. Being plastic, they are easy to wipe clean and make a great bath toy.
As an added benefit, these cups stack together in a compact way after playtime so they don’t take up a lot of space. Of course, if you don’t keep an eye on these or put them in a shelf, your baby might easily lose track of them in their toy box.
Pros
- Free of BPA, phthalates, and lead
- Fun for stacking together
- Teaches counting, color recognition, and number recognition
- Easy to wipe clean
- Makes a fun toy in and out of the bath
- Simple toy with several ways to play
Cons
- Easy to lose cups in the toy box
Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book
The Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book is the perfect choice for your baby’s first introduction to reading. The soft, stimulating pages are perfect for your little one and the book is recommended for ages 0+.
The cloth, washable book is a lift a flap book with clouds and leaves and other bright items for your baby to look under. Overall, it’s a good quality book and has several developmental benefits for your newborn.
Pros
- Cute, colorful animal characters
- Washable
- Lift a flap
Cons
- Some babies may get bored quickly
Best Tummy Time Play Mats
The Tummy Time Water Play Mat is a durable, toxin free water mat that has floating ocean animals and is an inexpensive play choice for just under $15, however, the Kick & Play Piano Gym & Maracas is an activity gym with a washable mat and more activities for longer use as your baby grows and develops but costs around $40.
Tummy Time Baby Water Mat
The MAGIFIRE Tummy Time Baby Water Mat is another great way to keep your baby entertained during tummy time. Just fill the outer ring with air, add a little water, and your little one will love smacking their hands in the water and discovering the colorful ocean animals. It is recommended for babies age three months and older.
The bright colors and ocean animals make this visually stimulating for your little one. As they move around on the mat, there’s plenty of different critters to discover. You can also introduce them to the different animals and colors as you interact with baby during tummy time.
The mat is made from heavy-duty PVC material free of BPA and other toxins. Each mat has also been tested for durability, meaning you don’t have to worry about leaks that’ll make playtime a mess. You can control how much water you put inside.
In addition to the mat, this toy comes with a few cute floating toys. The toys are flat so they float along easily on just a little bit of water. They are made of foam though, so it’s important to keep an eye on your little one once their teeth start developing. Babies can bite through foam toys and swallow the pieces.
This is also a great toy if you are traveling or somewhere you can’t necessarily bring along a tub for water fun. Since it folds up easily after use, you can tuck it away in your diaper bag or suitcase.
Another benefit is that this comes with a 100% money-back guarantee for the first 30 days and lifetime replacement if it is defective in any way.
The one downside of this is that PVC products do usually have an odor. The manufacturer recommends leaving it in a well-ventilated area for 1-2 days before you use it for the first time with baby.
Pros
- Made of BPA-free, toxin-free PVC
- Durable
- Great for fun during tummy time
- Baby can play in water without getting too wet
- Easy to fold up and take on the go
- Comes with 100% 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Has a PVC odor, you’ll want to air it out before using it
Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym & Maracas
The Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym & Maracas has plenty of fun activities for your baby and different modes it can be used in at different stages of development. With its durable construction, it’s easily something that can be used for a long time and then passed down to siblings or family members. The piano gym is recommended for babies from birth up to 3 years of age.
In the first mode, your baby can enjoy lying on their back and looking up at the toy bar. It has a mirror in the middle that helps with early self-restriction and other toys that they can bat at. As your baby learns to kick, they’ll be able to make music kicking the piano positioned at the bottom. This is also a great toy to turn them around and keep them entertained during tummy time.
In the second mode, once your baby is sitting up, they can interact with the buttons and have fun playing different songs. Music, lights, and sounds engage them at this stage. Finally, as they get older, the toy has Smart Stages technology for learning. You can set the switch to the last mode and they can learn about colors, numbers, shapes, and more.
The mat that comes with this is washable and each individual part can be removed. Once your baby outgrows the toy bar, for example, you can take it off. You can also customize the toy bar because the toys can be repositioned as you choose.
The keyboard also detaches so your baby can pick it up and play once they are a toddler. It’ll be a great developmental toy all the way up to age three.
As an added bonus, two Fischer Price maracas are included for added fun.
One thing to note is that even with the toy bar, some babies can lose interest. They can’t use it for tummy time until they can lift themselves up enough to push the buttons on the piano and it can take some time for them to gain that amount of strength.
Pros
- Several modes for play for the first few years of your baby’s life
- Offers development and stimulation at many stages
- Becomes a learning toy for toddlers
- Toy bar and piano are detachable for separate play
- Visual and auditory stimulation
- Mat that comes with it is detachable and washable
Cons
- Safe for newborns but they might not be interested in it
- Only good for tummy time once baby can press the piano button
Best Baby Musical Toys
Both the Early Educational Toys with Storage Box and the Musical Toy Set are sets of 10 plastic musical rattles and toys for babies, however, the Musical Toy Set is more brightly colored, tested for safety, and more popular among shoppers.
Baby Einstein Rock, Light & Roll Guitar
The Baby Einstein Rock, Light & Roll Guitar has plenty of ways to keep your child entertained. It’s small enough for little hands to grasp and is recommended for babies ages three and up.
Your baby will easily fall in love with this toy because of the classical music tunes that play toward baby’s natural interest in music. When they push the button it switches between ten different melodies including artists like Chopin, Mozart, Rossini, and Vivaldi. It also has volume control, which is a major plus for parents who don’t want to hear the music starting over and over again as your little one presses the button.
The toy itself is blue and white but it features colorful buttons and beads, as well as bright lights. A curved handle on the side makes the guitar easy to grasp and has beads that your baby can move around and spin, which improves fine motor skills. Additionally, this newborn musical phone toy is made using hard plastic that can easily be wiped clean.
This musical newborn toy comes requires 2 AA batteries. They come included, which is a plus!
The biggest downside of this toy is that babies often get excited and push the button a lot. When they do, it’s hard to enjoy one song before it switches to the next one and it can come out distorted.
Pros
- Plastic is easy to clean
- Has ten different classical melodies
- Lights up and has colorful beads baby can interact with
- Develops visual and auditory stimulation
- Easy to wipe clean
- Batteries are included
Cons
- Songs don’t play all the way through if the button is pushed again
Early Educational Toys with Storage Box
The Gizmovine Early Educational Toys with Storage Box has various baby rattles and musical toys that your baby will have fun playing with. They are perfectly sized for little fingers to grasp and light enough that your baby can start playing with them from birth.
For parents looking for newborn toys that can be sterilized, these are a great choice. They are heat-resistant up to 100 degrees Celcius, which is the average boiling temperature for water. This means they can be boiled or steamed without becoming deformed or otherwise damaged. The material is also environmentally friendly and BPA-free.
Some of the toys having moving parts like rings that can be moved or wheels that can be turned. Several also make music while they are being shaken, which is perfect for increasing auditory awareness.
These have gentler colors than some of the other toys, which won’t overstimulate your little one. They also all have rounded edges, which is what you want since babies commonly put things in your mouth.
Finally, the toys come with a sturdy storage box that makes it easy to take them along on adventures or store them when your baby isn’t playing.
Something to note is that while these edges can be chewed on, they are made of hard plastic. They’re safe to play with but aren’t a good choice if you are looking for toys that your baby will want to teeth on.
They also aren’t as visually stimulating as some of the other options, especially since they look a little less saturated in color than they do in the photos.
Pros
- Rounded edges are safe for chewing on
- Moving parts to stimulate development
- Many of them make noise when rattled
- Comes in a storage container
- Heat-resistant, can be boiled or steamed for sterilization
- Good size for little fingers to grasp
Cons
- Not as visually stimulating as some toys
- Hard plastic isn’t good to be used as a teething toy
Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas
The Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas are recommended for babies ages three months and older. As they learn to grasp, these are the perfect size for little hands to work on their gross motor skills.
The tops of these maracas have poms made of a soft, satiny material. With a softer top, it’s less likely that your baby will injure themselves while shaking the rattle. The bottoms are made of hard plastic and have colorful beads in the bottom that rattle around when they are shaken.
With a rattling sound, this toy encourages auditory development. Your baby also learns about cause-and-effect as they shake the rattle and then hear the sound.
Each maraca has a colorful design that stimulates visual development. In addition to the blue and orange colors, these maracas are available in green/yellow and pink/purple.
These are designed sturdy, so you don’t have to worry about the beads coming out and becoming a choking hazard. Being designed by the Fischer Price company, you can also trust the quality of these maracas.
The one downside is that the rattle doesn’t make tons of noise because there are only a few beads inside, so not all babies will be entertained by it.
Pros
- Tops are soft and less likely to cause injury
- Designed durable so beads stay inside
- Plenty of colors for visual stimulation
- Good sized for small baby hands to grasp
- Available in several colors
- Encourages gross motor development
Cons
- Rattling sound isn’t especially loud
Baby Musical Toy Set
The iPlay iLearn Baby Musical Toy Set comes with a wide variety of toys that will entertain your little one for hours. Each of the toys has its own function and encourages another stage of your newborn’s development. Many babies enjoy playing with these from birth through the first year of their life.
The various pieces engage different senses including auditory, tactile, and visual. With bright colors and patterns, it’s easy for them to catch your baby’s eye. There are also different textures on the grips for added stimulation and development of gross and fine motor skills. They are made of hard plastic materials that let them wipe clean easily, making them great for play dates and trips to the store or in the stroller.
Among the several toys in this set are:
- Dragonfly- This toy has beads in the base that your baby hears when they shake it. It also makes a sound when you twist the head and wings.
- Bowtie- The bowtie has dual-colored balls and reflective surfaces. It also has round handles that are easy to grip and movable rings your baby can play with.
- Dumbbell- The dumbbell is like a two-ended rattle. One side has beads that rattle around and the other has a button that makes a chirping sound when pressed.
- Mobile Phone- This baby cell phone has a squeezable button that makes a sound when pressed. There are also beads in the top that make noise when it is shaken.
- Octopus- The octopus teaches your baby cause-and-effect. When the button on its head is pressed down, it makes all 8 legs move up and down.
- Music Note- There are two spinning balls on either side of the music note. One is globe-like and the other jingles to catch your little one’s attention.
- Teething Ring- The teething ring is the perfect size for your little one to grip while they chew. It also has beads that rattle around.
- Candy- With many rings that can be moved around, this will easily fascinate your baby. It also makes noises when the ends are twisted and has a variety of textures and colors in the middle of the candy shape.
- IQ Ball- The IQ ball has multi-shaped sides to stimulate curiosity and brain development. It also rolls, which will stimulate your baby to chase it as they learn to crawl.
- Trumpet- Your baby can blow into this, shake it, or press buttons to make sounds. It encourages dexterity and fine motor development, as well as controlled breathing.
These toys are made from plastic and food-grade silicone. The plastic is free of BPA, phthalates, and latex and the silicone is safe for your little one to chew on. They have been third-party tested and adhere to the CSPC standards. Additionally, they come in a wide variety of colors for enhancing visual stimulation.
The one thing to note with these toys is that the plastic material used is very hard. While this does make them very durable, your baby can also hit themselves in the head pretty hard.
Pros
- Wide variety of toys for development
- Engages different senses
- Very colorful
- Made durable and safe for your baby to chew on
- Materials have been third-party tested for safety
- Round edges
- Plenty of activities for the first year of your baby’s life
Cons
- Plastic is very hard if your baby hits themselves
Foot Finders & Wrist Rattles
The Foot Finders & Wrist Rattles are the perfect choice for encouraging healthy development as your baby starts exploring their hands and feet. The toys are attached to wrist bands and socks that your baby can wear, so you also don’t have to worry about them fussing because they lost their toy.
Many babies are fascinated by their fingers and then their feet as they develop in their sense of self. These toys are great for further encouraging that development. The wrist rattles make noise as your baby moves their hands around. They have soft fastener tabs that make it easy to safely attach them to your little one. The included ankle socks also have friendly, colorful bugs that make a rattling sound when they are shaken around.
Not only are these great for self-exploration and sensory development, but they also kickstart the development of your baby’s hand-eye coordination. They are one-size-fits-most for the first year of your baby’s life. Since they stay on your baby’s feet and wrists, they make a great toy for your child’s car seat since they’re less likely to drop them.
These are completely safe for your baby to chew on as well. They are Children’s Product Certified as being safe and free of toxins and do not have any small parts.
Something to note is that even though these are one-size-fits-most for the first year of life, many babies outgrow at least the socks by 9-12 months.
They also don’t make a loud rattling. This is nice for if your baby falls asleep while playing or when in the car because the rattles won’t startle them, however, it makes them a little less stimulating.
Pros
- Toys are attached to wristbands and socks
- One-size-fits-most for newborns to the first year
- Safe to chew on
- Created with highly contrasting colors
- Rattling noise can be fun to play with
- Soft, colorful bugs make great friends
- Encourages your baby to play with their wrists and feet
Cons
- Doesn’t fit bigger babies after 9 months
- Rattles are not very loud
Best Baby Mirror Toys
Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror
The Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror is perfect for newborns at tummy time. The mirror is large and reflective so baby can look at themselves and the soft frame expands at the bottom so it can sit on any flat surface.
While tummy time is naturally fun for some babies, others become frustrated. This is especially true early on when they struggle with lifting their head and neck. The best way to overcome a baby’s aversion to tummy time is to make it more entertaining for them. You can get down there with them or use toys like this tummy time mirror for added fun.
In addition to a highly reflective mirror that your baby can see themselves in, this has high-contrast colors and patterns. A big, red ladybug has a two-color spinning ball in the middle that your baby can play with. Textured leaves hang from the ladybug to further stimulate your little one. This also has a rotating/clicking bee that your child can spin as they get older.
Even though this is designed to be a stand-up mirror, it is not big enough at the bottom to be stable on its own. It might stand up but if they touch it or pull on it, it’ll more than likely fall over. This makes it harder to play with the bee and the ball. You can choose a similar model that comes with Velcro tabs to be attached to a crib if you’d like, which would help with keeping it upright.
Pros
- Encourages tummy time, which is very important for baby’s development
- Mirror is highly reflective so your baby can see details of their face
- Has interactive parts other than the mirror
- Soft frame is safe for newborns
- High-contrast colors for visual development
- Comes with or without Velcro straps for attaching to a crib
Cons
- Not very stable, easy to tip or pull over
Best Baby Teething Toys
The Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys are soothing, BPA-free plastic, and silicone teething toys that can be refrigerated for more relief from swollen, tender gums; whereas the Fruit Baby Teethers toxin free, FDA approved, food grade silicone toys perfect for teething babies who chew on everything.
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
The Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys are essential for teething babies. Some babies start teething as early as 3-4 months old and the ice gel teether keys provide much-needed relief and soothe your little one’s gums. They are also colorful and visually stimulating.
Being a chewing toy, this is made of BPA-free plastic and soft silicone. These are a great choice for soothing erupting teeth naturally. Put them in the refrigerator and the gel substance inside cools down to soothe gums.
These are nice because they offer variety for teething in all areas of your baby’s mouth. There are harder silicone areas on the sides of the keys, while the keys themselves are easier to bite down on. Each area has a unique texture, giving your baby plenty of options for chewing. Additionally, the ring for the keys is textured and has a shape perfect for small hands.
This teething toy is recommended for babies ages 3 months and up.
For cleaning, you will want to use soap and water. You cannot boil these because the heat can cause the soft material to melt or warp and the gel inside will leak out.
Additionally, while refrigerating the keys does not keep them cool as long as a frozen toy, you should not freeze these. Freezing them can cause your baby to get frostbite or irritation on their chin as a result of the cold. The majority of negative reviews with these keys come from misuse.
One downside is that all three of the toys on the ring together can be a little on the heavy side. While the ring keeps them together, it would be nice if the teethers could come off individually for babies that have trouble grasping and holding heavier toys.
Pros
- Natural relief for teething
- Different textures and shapes to soothe all areas of the mouth
- Easy for your baby to grasp
- Bright colors for visual stimulation
- Different textures provide tactile stimulation
- Can refrigerate to soothe the gums with cold
- Made of baby-safe materials
Cons
- Need to rinse baby’s mouth well if it breaks open
- Keys can’t be taken off the ring
Manhattan Toy Teether Elephant
The Manhattan Toy Teether Elephant is an excellent choice for one of your baby’s first toys. Not only does it work as a friend that they can snuggle with in their early days of life, but it also has soft silicone teething areas including the feet.
The elephant is a bright aqua blue color with brightly colored feet, ears, and horns, and a patterned belly. There are also different textures in the plush area of the belly because of ridges. Crinkly areas of fabric stimulate your baby’s sense of hearing. Babies will love the multiple colors including polka dots and the cute soft body.
It’s a simple toy that babies may fall in love with the adorable animal. This may be a good choice if you want your child to have a lovey they can chew on. It’s the one toy they can take everywhere to offer comfort and warmth.
The quality of the toy is good overall and it’s nice that all three of the animals are gender-neutral.
Pros
- Crinkly fabric engages your little one
- Teether feet
- Lightweight, easy for young babies to pick up
- Perfect for snuggling, chewing, and teething
- Colorful design
- Comes in three fun animal designs
Cons
- Product information is misleading when buying online
Fruit Shaped Silicone Baby Teethers
Babies can only interact with the world in so many ways at birth. One of the best ways is through their mouth as they nurse, drink a bottle, or chew on something. Instead of them chewing on regular toys, give them the Fruit Shaped Silicone Baby Teethers so they can enjoy a toy while chewing. Not only are these toys safe and fun, but they also help babies to practice important skills.
Each of the five fruit toys includes a piece of textured fruit on a stem. Babies can learn shapes, fruit, colors, and texture from simple toys. Also, the stems allow babies to hold the toys in their hands too with an ergonomic design. It’s great for brain development too with all the ability to learn.
Moreover, the toys are free of BPA, phthalates, PVC, metals, lead, and toxins. With one in each hand, your baby can smash them, chew them, and so much more. It’s essentially a pacifier toy. Buy a sterilizer to get them clean after use.
Next, the toys are great for babies ages 3 months and up without worry. It’s a great way to help early teethers too. They are so cute, they are the perfect toy to calm a fussy baby during a photo session too for adorable pictures.
Finally, these make a great baby shower gift too! While everyone else is giving diapers or baby clothes, you can give a unique gift no one else will get a new mother.
Pros
- Learning toy
- Teething toy
- Stem for ergonomic gripping
- Textured
- Safe
- FDA approved
- Food grade silicone
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Some babies can gag on the teethers
- May smell at first
Comparing the Best Newborn Toys
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym & Maracas | 9.9 | 9.6 | 51.99 |
| Baby Musical Toy Set | 9.9 | 9.6 | 23.99 |
| Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book | 9.9 | - | 20.48 |
| Tummy Time Baby Water Mat | 9.9 | 8.8 | 16.99 |
| Mortimer, The Moose, Clip On Toy | 9.9 | 9.8 | 15.40 |
| Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror | 9.9 | 9.0 | 14.39 |
| Foot Finders & Wrist Rattles | 9.9 | - | 9.99 |
| Fisher-Price Rattle 'n Rock Maracas | 9.9 | 9.2 | 7.99 |
| First Years Stack Up Cups | 9.9 | 9.6 | 5.60 |
| Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys | 9.9 | 9.4 | 4.88 |
| Baby Einstein Rock, Light & Roll Guitar | 8.9 | 9.6 | - |
| Manhattan Toy Teether Elephant | 9.6 | 9.4 | - |
| Early Educational Toys with Storage Box | 3.9 | 9.0 | - |
| Fruit Shaped Silicone Baby Teethers | 9.7 | 9.4 | - |
How We Selected Newborn Toys
Safety
The primary concern with children’s toys (especially children under three) is whether or not it is a choking hazard.
At least one child dies every five days in the United States from choking and 12,000 are hospitalized from choking injuries annually. Toys, food, and other household items are some of the primary causes of choking.
On the plus side, manufacturers of toys typically list a toy as being a choking hazard. To be sure you’re choosing an age-appropriate toy for your little one, adhere to manufacturer warnings. If you’re buying a secondhand toy, do research on the recommended age beforehand.
Something to remember when buying baby toys is that they are more than likely going to put them in their mouth. Your child’s mouth and hands are going to be their favorite way to explore the world around them.
In addition to being aware of small parts, be sure there aren’t any pieces that can easily break off. These can be sharp or become small enough that your little one can choke.
For toys that have batteries, be sure the screws for the battery area cannot become dislodged and that your child cannot access the batteries.
Finally, look for toys that follow CSPC (Consumer Safety Product Commission) and/or ASTM (American Standard for Testing and Materials) regulations. This tests the safety of materials like the paint used on wood and the composition of plastic to be sure no components pose a safety risk. This is especially important in the best toys for babies under 1 because they chew on things.
Development
Choosing toys for your child’s development is especially important in their earlier years. You’ll want to pick a variety of baby toys that encourage skills your baby is learning.
For example, some of the best sensory toys for newborns encourage development of touch, sound, and sight. It’s common to see different colors and textures on these toys.
Baby toys for 6 to 12 months might help improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, or social and language development. Some might help with cause-and-effect relationships (such as pulling on a cord and the toy vibrating).
Manufacturers of baby toys usually recommend toys for a certain age group. In most cases, this recommendation is based on the skills your baby should be learning around that time.
Keep in mind that how you interact with your child also gives many toys a great extra step for learning. For example, your child’s favorite colorful stuffed animal might give you an opportunity to introduce colors to them.
As you communicate with them, you’ll also be teaching early language skills.
Variety
Having a variety of toys exposes your child to more of the world. As you introduce different sights, textures, and sounds, your child is learning.
Even if your child seems to have an interest in a specific animal (like elephants), you’ll want to use that interest to introduce them to different toys. For a baby that likes elephants, you could introduce them to other zoo animals, buy books with elephants, or choose soft plushies with different textures and sounds.
Durability
When you’re buying something for a baby or toddler, you’ll want something durable.
Babies often manipulate the world around them by pushing and pulling on things. They might even smack some toys off the ground just to see what happens.
To prevent toys from breaking, you’ll want to be sure they are durable. This is also important for preventing any small pieces that might break off and become a choking hazard.
When considering durability for infant toys, it’s important to consider overall simplicity. A simpler toy is better suited to a baby because there are fewer parts that might break.
FAQs – Newborn Toys
Does the age range on a baby toy matter?
When babies are young, it’s important to adhere to the age range restrictions. Some toys are recommended for a certain age range based on a child’s development. In the case of baby toys, however, age recommendations may be put into place for safety.
Keep in mind that babies are still exploring the world around them. Often, they use their hands and their mouth to do this. You’ll want to avoid toys designed for toddlers and older kids simply because you cannot guarantee they are safe. They might have small, loose parts, sharp edges that should not be chewed on, or breakable pieces that could become a choking hazard.
When toys are designed specifically for newborns, they are less likely to have these hazards if they are designed well.
Once baby is older, they will love the best toys for 1-year-old boys and best toys for 1-year-old girls.
Can I give my baby hand-me-down toys?
Certain hand-me-down toys can invoke some nostalgia. You might look forward to giving them something your parents have passed along to you.
Something to keep in mind, however, is that manufacturing and safety have changed a lot since the days when you were a baby. If you are going to give your little one hand-me-downs, do some research to be sure there haven’t been any recalls.
Manufacturers also paid less attention to safety standards then. While it can be cute to watch your baby play with your old rocking horse or Raggedy Ann doll, you’ll want to be sure the hardware is intact and that the button eyes aren’t going to come off and cause your little one to choke.
What toys should newborns play with?
The best toys for newborns will encourage them to use their senses. Baby toys often include bright colors and various textures. Some might also make sounds.
Soft toys including stuffed animals, cloth books, rattles, and toys with different textures are all a good choice for your newborn.
Toys that encourage motions like grasping, swiping, kicking, squeezing, pulling, and shaking are all good choices, too.
Keep in mind that toys are not the only way you can interact with your baby. Talking to them and singing to them improves language and social skills. You can tickle them, blow raspberries, count their toes, and play peek-a-boo. Let them get familiar with your face- smile and laugh, roll your eyes, and poke out your tongue. Encourage grasping by letting them hold on to and play with your fingers. Simply interacting with your baby is a great way to encourage all types of development.
What kind of toys do babies need?
As your newborn grows, so will their interest in their world. They will be interested in all types of toys that introduce new things to them. As their skills advance, you’ll want to choose toys they can interact with.
By age 6-8 months, your baby will likely be able to hold onto smaller, lighter toys. They’ll also like toys with activities or actions that they repeat. Repetitive actions teach cause-and-effect and provide the practice your little one needs to master certain skills.
